School Nurses' Role in Reducing Firearm Injuries and Deaths
By Robin Cogan & Laurie G. Combe
Gun violence is an issue that hits close to home for many individuals, including the authors of this blog. We are school nurses, Laurie Combe and Robin Cogan, who have family members directly impacted by firearm deaths. In our article titled "School Nurses Can Reduce Firearm Injuries and Deaths," we discuss the important role school nurses can play in addressing responsible firearm storage and promoting safety within schools. By viewing the problem through a public health lens, school nurses can make a significant impact on reducing violence and creating safer environments.
To emphasize the urgency of the situation, our article presents key data points that highlight the prevalence and severity of firearm injuries and deaths among children and teens. Most alarming is the recent revelation that firearm injuries have become the leading cause of death for youth , surpassing motor vehicle accidents. The likelihood of knowing a gun violence victim within one's personal network is high, reaching over 88% for all racial and ethnic categories. Additionally, concerning are the sobering statistics on school-related shootings and the number of students exposed to gun violence at school. Suicide rates among children and teens have seen a concerning increase, and the presence of guns in households with children contributes to the rising rate
Firearm deaths among 0-17 year olds, by intent and location.
Source: Jetelina, K. (6 April 2023). Bullets and children, And what to do about it. Your Local Epidemiologist: Translating Public Health Science Into Everyday Use; Data from CDC Wonder (2023). Reprinted with permission.
School nurse practice is rooted in public health. As such, we are urging school nurses to work within their communities to promote safe firearm storage as a crucial step that saves lives and prevents generational trauma. School nurses are encouraged to implement comprehensive, coordinated efforts involving school-wide, district-wide, and community-wide strategies. Within our article, we provide abundant resources for deployment of downstream, midstream, and upstream interventions to effectively address gun violence.
A fictional case study describes a student who witnessed her brother's death due to firearm violence and is struggling with school engagement. We then provide examples of intervention categories school nurses and their campus colleagues can deploy. Downstream interventions for the student include care coordination, relaxation techniques, counseling, and referrals to social workers. Midstream interventions involve gathering surveillance data on gun violence and educating the school community about local statistics. Upstream interventions focus on promoting safe firearm storage through programs and disseminating firearm locks.
School nurses have a vital role to play in addressing firearm injuries and deaths. The article encourages school nurses to collaborate with leaders within their school community and embrace a grassroots level of community engagement through policy, education, and programming. By sharing the message of safe storage and advocating for other preventive measures, school nurses can contribute to the creation of safer school environments. Our goal is to inspire school nurses to take action in their own communities, fostering collaboration and support among colleagues to effectively address this public health emergency and protect students from the detrimental effects of firearm violence.
Article Details
School Nurses Can Reduce Firearm Injuries and Deaths
Laurie G. Combe & Robin Cogan
First published: May 29, 2023
DOI: 10.1177/1942602X231174190
NASN School Nurse
About the Authors
